Vargas shines as Switzerland progress to the quarterfinals
FCA star gets a goal and an assist against Italy
First Team
29.06.2024, 21:00
The Switzerland national team put in an excellent performance against defending champions Italy to reach the last eight of the European Championship, as FCA’s Ruben Vargas gave a great showing.
Switzerland finished Group A unbeaten and in second place, picking up five points in their three group matches to qualify for the round of 16. Meanwhile, Italy’s last-minute equaliser against Croatia secured their spot in the second round. This match at the Olympiastadion in Berlin was the opening tie of the round of 16, and, with Ruben Vargas in the starting XI, the Swiss immediately took charge.
A deserved opening goal came for Switzerland in the 37th minute, as the ball was played to Vargas down the left flank and he forwarded it nicely to Remo Freuler, who was charging into the box. The Bologna midfielder took the ball in his stride and slotted it past Gianluigi Donnarumma in the Italian net from eight yards to make it 1-0. This came at the end of a phase of the game in which Switzerland has consistently combined nicely in attack.
A sensational Vargas strike makes it 2-0
It then got even better for Switzerland. Just a few seconds into the second half, Vargas beautifully curled the ball into the back of the net to double their advantage, as Donnarumma was left helpless (46’). The 25-year-old remained a constant threat in the game and was substituted off to rapturous applause in the 71st minute. Italy failed to find a way back into the game, and so Switzerland saw out a deserved 2-0 victory. To top it off, Vargas was named Player of the Match after the final whistle.
Switzerland’s quarter-final tie will be played at 18:00 CEST on Saturday, 6th July, where they will face either England or Slovakia.
